Surgical Serenity Solutions and insurance coverage

How great would it be if the Surgical Serenity Solutions headset was completely covered by health insurance? This Monday morning, I’ll be talking to an executive with one of the major insurance companies. He is very interested in knowing more about the Surgical Serenity Solutions and understanding how music brings improved surgical outcomes.

Of course, those of us that have believing in and using music during surgery, KNOW about the multiple and rich benefits it brings. But this is an old, old story. Something new appears in our world, and people say “oh that will never work!” “It’s just an old wive’s tale” “there’s absolutely no scientific proof!”

Interestingly, these are the very reasons that caused Dr. Joel Elkes, professor of Psychiatry at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, to hire me in 1990. He knew how powerful music can be in medicine, and he said “all we really have is anecdotal evidence, Alice, and I want YOU to start doing the research that will provide empirical, scientific, evidence of music as medicine.

From 1990-2005, I focused on toning, chanting, music with Alzheimer’s disease, and music with preemies. All through that time I was becoming increasingly aware that music before and after surgery was powerful in reducing anxiety and pain perception, but also that very few people realized this.

Fast forward to 2017: hundreds of thousands of people now understand that music in the peri-operative period is valuable, but patients would prefer that the hospital would stock the pre-loaded, cordless, headphones and that insurance would cover that. My original plan, was to start the marketing of the headphones in plastic surgery practices, where people expect to pay out of pocket. I’ve started that process, but getting in to see plastic surgeons is not easy. I’m always eager to hear your ideas!!

Dr. Alice Cash is one of the world’s few clinical musicologists. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, she brings to her work over 40 years of professional experience as a college professor, clinical therapist, solo and chamber music performer and composer.

Since 1990, Dr. Cash has been in the field of Music Medicine and conducted clinical research at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, under the guidance of Dr. Joel Elkes, Dr. Leah Dickstein, and Dr. Rif El-Mallakh. Her clinical work at the University of Louisville lead to her career in music medicine.

In addition to her work with the University of Louisville, Dr. Cash lead the development of using music a hospital setting at Baptist East Hospital, Louisvile, KY. She has founded 3 companies: Healing Music Enterprises, Surgical Serenity Solutions and Crescent Hill Counseling.